IVF explained

IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) can be a long, costly and emotional experience for many couples trying to conceive. But with the right knowledge and approach you can manage your expectations and understand more about IVF, an often miraculous procedure...

Who is suited to IVF?

Couples who have been trying to conceive for over a year, without success who have an acknowledged fertility problem (confirmed by a consultant) may be advised to try IVF.

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A third of infertility cases are from factors affecting women (i.e. problems with eggs releasing, blockages in fallopian tubes, uterus defects) whereas another third are based on factors affecting men such as poor sperm motility or a condition called 'azoospermia' where no sperm cells are produced at all. The last third relates to unknown cases of infertility where the problem simply cannot be identified, or when there are issues with both the man and woman.

Are there any pre-IVF treatments I need to have?

Your GP will need to book you both in for a medical evaluation to decipher exactly what the root of the problem is. You'll both need to be examined and they'll run tests to check your blood hormone levels, ovarian function and the quality of your partner's sperm. X-rays will pick up any issues with your re-productive organs and in some cases, a laparoscopy (a tiny camera inserted into the abdominal wall) will be suggested as a more thorough means of locating blockages or other problems in the pelvic area.

It might also be worth considering a session with a nutritionist to ensure you're diet is filled with baby-making nutrients. After all, your overall health is one of the most important contributing factors so it's no surprise that adults of a healthy weight have a better chance of conceiving.

How does IVF work?

In a nutshell, IVF involves an egg being removed from the woman's ovary and fertilised by the man's sperm in a glass jar. The process usually begins with the woman taking fertility drugs to boost the production of eggs which are then surgically removed and stored. This then follows with a further course of drugs to prepare the body for pregnancy whilst the eggs are being fertilised in a laboratory. Two of three select embryos will then be implanted back into the woman's uterus where hopefully, a baby will grow.

There is a steady stream of new advancements in IVF and doctors can suggest different types of procedures depending on the nature of your fertility problem. For example, if male sperm motility or a low sperm count is the problem, they might suggest Intrauterine insemination (IUI) - a technique that involves inserting washed sperm directly into the uterus, maximising the chances of healthy sperm reaching the fallopian tubes and fertilising an egg.

You'll be able to take a pregnancy test around two weeks after the embryos have been implanted and if the result is positive, you will be offered an ultrasound scan at around 6 weeks to ensure the embryo has settled in the right place.

Are there any risks?

A large part of the IVF process involves taking drugs which can lead to a number of unwanted side effects so you're likely to be monitored quite closely during this stage of treatment. There's also an increased risk of an eptopic pregnancy (where the egg implants itself in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus). The best course of action is to discuss any risks up front with your doctor so you know what to expect, what the odds are and what treatments will entail if anything happens to go wrong.

Patience is important as egg production can take time, though conversely, it can go in the opposite direction where too many eggs are produced which can make you feel bloated with mild abdominal pain. If the over-production is severe you are likely to be administered to hospital to ensure there is no additional damage to the kidneys or ovaries.

Lastly...be prepared for more than one! The implantation of two or three embryos carries an increased risk of multiple pregnancies, so there is a very good chance you could end up with twins, or indeed triplets.

What are the success rate of IVF?

Thousands of babies are born by IVF in the UK each year, but with a success rate of just 20%, the chances aren't as high as we'd like. There are a number of factors that affect the success of IVF, but a major contributing factor is the woman's age. The quality of eggs decrease with age, whilst the likelihood of chromosomal defects and abnormalities increase - hence the reason why woman over 40 have a 1 in 10 chance of conceiving, compared to the 1 in 4 chance woman under 30 have.

Couples who are healthy and in good shape are also more likely to have success with IVF, so it's essential to prepare your body for pregnancy by eating a healthy diet and keeping fit.

How much does IVF cost?

For some couples, nothing. If your doctor thinks IVF is a suitable course of treatment (and you are under 40), he'll put you forward for a course on the NHS. However, priority will usually be given to couples who don't have any children which means there can be long waiting times involved for parents struggling to conceive again. In this case, many couples prefer to take the faster (but more expensive route) of undergoing treatment privately.

Most fertility drugs are available on the NHS but any other forms of treatment are dependent on the guidelines set by your local Primary Care Trust who may have certain specifications on funding. You may find you have to mix both NHS and private care to get the treatment you want in your preferred time scale but speak to your GP first to find out what the situation is and how you can find out more about funding.

If it doesn't happen first time, do we try again?

If you want to, yes. It's not uncommon for couples to go through two or three cycles of IVF before conceiving so it's important to be patient and not expect too much too soon. Experts generally find that if a couple hasn't conceived by the third course of IVF, it's unlikely to happen.